Overview
An Esteemed Faculty Present an Innovative, Exploratory Curriculum to Young, Energetic and Motivated Minds
Baylor College of Medicine's translational biology and molecular medicine (TBMM) graduate program trains Ph.D. candidates to conduct state-of-the-art research in preclinical and translational biology. TBMM is an interdepartmental program for training the next generations of Ph.D. and M.D./Ph.D. biomedical researchers, inculcating in students the desire to commit themselves to human health research.
Faculty from all basic science and clinical departments, and the clinical research centers, are in the TBMM program. More than 100 strong, they present students with the broadest possible spectrum of research opportunities dealing with every aspect of molecular medicine and human disease. Students receive dual mentoring, by a basic scientist as well as a clinical one, and attend innovative courses presented in an integrated fashion. The clinical component of the curriculum covers all aspects of human diseases, with a focus on disease mechanisms and treatment. Students also participate in clinical rotations related to their thesis research projects and learn how to translate - "bench research" - into clinical application.
Students get a rigorous and challenging education in basic biomedical sciences while being introduced to human health and disease issues through the dual mentorship process. The collaborative work environment helps the program produce scientists with hands-on leadership experience and first-hand experience in translational research. The Ph.D. program is funded in part by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute "Med into Grad Initiative," which provides grants to various institutions that introduce graduate students in basic biological sciences to the world of clinical medicine.
Houston Is Perfect for Medical Studies, with Ample Scientific Resources Balanced by Cultural and Recreational Riches
Houston is a lively, young, dynamic, and modern city with almost 4 million inhabitants. Its extensive, varied, and affordable cultural, artistic, and recreational opportunities offer numerous ways to balance the demanding lifestyle of a Ph.D. candidate. From theaters, opera, art museums, a natural history museum, a planetarium, and a symphony orchestra to soul singers, jazz concerts, nightlife, and a full range of professional sports franchises, there is never a lack of things to do in Houston.
The greater metropolitan area is home to a number of large university campuses, as well as the Lyndon B. Johnson NASA Manned Spacecraft Center complex. Within a very short drive around town or beyond, there are myriad public parks, outdoor recreation areas for hiking and climbing, beautiful Gulf beaches for fishing and swimming on the coast, and sports facilities for every kind of athlete or fan.
From Tuition and Stipends to Health Insurance and Living Costs, Baylor Knows How to Take Care of Its Ph.D. Students
One major advantage of acceptance at an institution of Baylor's size and status is that the small percentage of students accepted into such graduate programs as TBMM receives full financial support throughout their school career. Tuition costs for Ph.D. students are typically paid through scholarships awarded directly by the college, which are available to every student. All Ph.D. students receive a generous stipend of $26,000, health insurance is paid for, and additional financial aid may also be available.
Baylor College of Medicine is the only private medical school in the American Southwest, and has one of the lower tuitions among all private medical schools in the country. Tuition for the 2008--09 academic year was $11,000, but all matriculating students received tuition scholarships. Students are expected to pay certain fees, such as a matriculation fee of $25, a student fee of $150 for the first year and $20 for subsequent years, and a graduation fee of $140 in year four. If students are on temporary visas, they must also pay the annual international services fee, which is $75 for F-1 visa holders or $100 for those with a J-1 visa.
Living and housing costs are reasonable. Available nearby are many privately owned, furnished and unfurnished apartments and houses, with a wide range of rental prices. The cost of living in Houston, in most every category, is less than in most other large U.S. cities.
High-Quality Matriculants, Top-Rated Curriculum, and Dedicated Teachers Produce Individual and Institutional Excellence
Baylor College of Medicine is consistently ranked as the top medical school in the American Southwest, and regarded far and wide as one of the best medical schools in the country. Baylor ranked 17th overall in the 2009 "U.S. News and World Report" list of top medical schools for primary care and 17th for research, and its Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is also highly rated.
The 580 Ph.D. students enrolled in 2007--08 represented a number of states and countries, and 52 percent of them were women.
Baylor graduates often accept postdoctoral research appointments, which are followed by careers in medicine, academics, business, and industry. The career options for a Baylor College of Medicine Ph.D. are, in fact, world-class and far ranging, and also include science education, environmental affairs, non-profit organizations, and government service.
